Deborah L. Parker, The DPJ Training Group Completes Workplace Harassment/Diversity Project

WASHINGTON - Oct. 22, 2014 - PRLog -- What would the world be like if we were all alike? Deborah poses this question to audiences in her training programs as a way to bridge understanding the depth of who we are as human beings. And as a first step in addressing issues of disrespect that can lead to harassment or bullying. Which also leads to further discussions on diversity or difference, as a reality of our shared humanity, a good thing not a bad thing.

Blending humor where appropriate to case studies added to the success of this work for Deborah.  She's also conducted this type of training for the US Army's SHARP (Sexual Harassment Assault Response Program), police departments, city governments, corporate companies and other federal agencies. Managers were trained separately to emphasize the importance of good leadership in addressing these issues.

This work is personal for Deborah as well, having grown up in the midst of the 1960s Civil Rights era in a rural Virginia town; she remembers the 'white only' signs and the prevalence of 'women or blacks can't do this' statements. But noting progress, she reminds audiences of the historical reasons of why it's still necessary to have laws and agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to monitor how we treat each other. Such as this year marks 50 years since President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which opened up educational and employment opportunities for women and people of various racial/ethnic groups. And desegregated public facilities, no more 'white only' signs, so everyone could be included with their potential in all aspects of the "American Dream."

Through her company, The DPJ Training Group, based in Leesburg, Deborah has been providing motivational speaking, leadership, diversity/harssment/inclusion and personal development learning programs for private and public sector clients for over 15 years. To solidify her work, Deborah blends an academic background of an M.A. in Human Resource Development from George Mason University, B.A. in Sociology from The College of William and Mary along with career stops as an Army reserve officer and corporate manager, to ensure best result outcomes for her customers. She is a member of the Metro DC Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development, Loudoun County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and other community groups. Deborah has penned five books to include her motivational autobiography, Navigating Life's Roadways: Stories of Insight from My Odyssey and Inspiration for Your Journey, chronicling highlights of her life's setbacks and successes with the themes of career, family, and choices in an engaging format with relatable takeaways for readers. .